InsultsNehemiah 4:1-5Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something ...  Read More

Isolation Ecclesiastes 4:7-9Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: There was a man all alone… Two are better than one…Yesterday, we discussed the benefits of teamwork. Today, I’d like to explore the flipside: the destructive impact of isolation. First, let’s acknowledge the difference between alone time, introversion, or even social anxiety, and isolation. We don’t mean regular time to r...  Read More

Teamwork Nehemiah 3:1-3Then Eliashib the high priest and the other priests started to rebuild at the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set up its doors, building the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and the Tower of Hananel. People from the town of Jericho worked next to them, and beyond them was Zaccur son of Imri.The Fish Gate was built by the sons of Hassenaah. The...  Read More

Seats on the Bus Nehemiah 2:19-20But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” they asked.I replied, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”Did we already discuss Sanballa...  Read More

Community Nehemiah 2:16-18The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration. But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been dest...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with, or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPENING QUESTION(S)Were you ever called into the principal's office when you were in grade school or high school? If so, and you’re willi...  Read More